As Iowans prepared to caucus in schools, churches and community centers, election experts predicted record turnout here - thanks in part to a warming trend which had the weather at a sunny 24 degrees, a heat wave compared to brisk weather in the single digits earlier in the week.

The persuasive power of rhetoric was suddenly yielding in importance to the availability of baby sitters to help people get to the caucuses.

Campaigns were ready with snow shovels if needed, and used the phone and Facebook online to encourage voters. Romney said his campaign made 12,000 calls on Sunday alone.

Obama, from Illinois, recommended longjohns as he sent people door to door. Clinton, in her historic run to become the first female president, served bagels, fruit and coffee to Des Moines volunteers Wednesday. The New York senator said of the biting cold, "I know if you're here from Iowa to help me, this is like, nothing."

It's gotta be great to be an Iowa voter, being pandered to virtually on command, with refreshments! Democrats are expecting between 120 and 150K voters tonight; Republicans around 80K, according to estimates.Iowa turnout facts from Marc Ambinder:

** 122,193 Democrats turned out in 2004.

** The 2006 primary election turned out 184,000 Democrats.

** Don't automatically assume that high turnout helps Barack Obama or assume that an increase in turnout comes from independents. Democrats, too, could caucus in record numbers, which helps the two candidates who are banking on them: Edwards and Clinton.

** There were approximately 500,000 Dems on the voter file who did not caucus in 2000 or 2004. There are 600,000 independents who tend to have weak vote history, especially in primaries.

** 17,000 to 22,000 independents became Democrats and caucused in 2004, according to estimates.